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Many
of people have nervous habits,
but people who pull out their hair
compulsively can suffer overwhelming
emotional and even physical impacts.
Hair-pulling is a deep secret for
most people who do it, but it is not
especially rare. Psychiatrists
estimate that about four million
Americans have what is called
trichotillomania
(trick-o-till-o-main-ee-a).
Causes, Incidence and
Risk Factors.
Trichotillomania is a type of
impulsive control disorder. Its
causes are not clearly
understood. It may affect as
much as 4% of the population.
Women are four times more likely
to be affected than men.
Symptoms usually begin
before age 17. The hair may come out
in round patches or across the
scalp. The effect is an uneven
appearance. The person may pluck
other hairy areas, such as the
eyebrows, eyelashes, or body hair.
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These symptoms are usually
seen in children:
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An uneven appearance
to the hair
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Bare patches or all
around (diffuse)
loss of hair
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Bowel blockage
(obstruction) if
people eat the hair
they pull out
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Constant tugging,
pulling, or twisting
of hair
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Denying the hair
pulling
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Hair regrowth that
feels like stubble
in the bare spots
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Increasing sense of
tension before the
hair pulling
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Other self-injury
behaviors
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Sense of relief,
pleasure, or
gratification after
the hair pulling
According to
MayoClinic.com,
for some people,
trichotillomania may be mild
and generally manageable.
For others, the urge to pull
hair is overwhelming and can
be accompanied by
considerable distress. Some
treatment options have
helped many people reduce
their hair pulling or stop
entirely. |
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An
article on
Trichotillomania at Wikipedia.org
suggests that support groups and
internet sites such as the
Trichotillomania Learning Center
can provide recommended educational
material and help persons with
trichotillomania in maintaining a
positive attitude and overcoming the
fear of being alone with the
disease.
Trichotillomania is classified as an
impulse control disorder and leads
to noticeable hair loss, distress,
and social or functional
impairment. Teens and adults with
the disorder may find coping with
the disorder in every day life
somewhat easier by consulting a
trained hair loss professional
who may recommend a wig or hair
prosthesis to mask the resulting
hair loss and allow the sufferer to
interact normally in social and
public situations such as work and
school.
If a
totally natural looking human hair
wig or women's hair replacement
system is something you want to
consider, the highly experienced
consultants at
Transitions affiliated hair loss
centers will help you
find the best solution.
Learn More:
Trichotillomania Learning Center
National Mental Health Association |
